Review Summary: Round 5 for Mnemic....
Mnemic- Mnemesis.
Mainly Neurotic Energy Modifying Instant Creation.
Mnemic, the ‘M’ being silent of course, are a self described "Future Fusion Metal" band from Denmark. Their sound stems from combining elements of metalcore, melodic death metal and industrial metal. They have been active now since 1998 recording five full length studio efforts, the fifth being 2012’s Mnemesis.
There are many musical layers that make up Mnemic. The vocals are a mixture of aggressive verses and melodic choruses; the drumming is laced with a variety of creative fills and juggernaut like double bass, start-stop arrangements keep things sounding fresh when things start to drop of slightly. Add a futuristic/industrial sample track, and you have the very heartbeat of Mnemic.
The majority of the Mnemic back catalogue is a vast array of well produced, well structured material. I would compare their sound to bands such as, Fear Factory, Engel, Strapping Young Lad, Sybreed, Soilwork and Meshuggah. They deliver a heavy down tuned industrial tone, the result of an 8 string guitar.
MNEMESIS.
Having suffered a variety of lineup changes Mnemic find themselves with only one original member left standing, guitarist/keyboardist Mircea Eftemie. When a band suffers a major lineup change it can be difficult to maintain the standard which has carried them to their current standing, fans constantly want a return on their investment and fortunately for Mnemic fans, any transition regarding new memebers has been smooth.
But regardless the amount of band mebers that come and go,the name remians the same, and so do those crucial elements musically that make up the Mnemic sound. Each new member is more than familiar to what makes up the Mnemic sound, and fill any void left musically to a very high standard.
Mnemeis is a vast improvement on ‘Sons Of The System’. The areas in which Sons dissapointed were in the arrnagement of the songs. Things sounded rushed and un-organsied, at times a little tough to stick with. Songs would settle into a tired formula and often outstay there welcome.
What Mnemic has done with ‘Mnemesis’ is slow things down ever so slightly and focus on creating an album that flows from track to track while maintainig the energy displayed on ‘MSP and ‘TAIS'. More time has been invested in developing hooks. Songs like ‘I’ve Been You’ and ‘mnemesis’ example a more simplistic approach regarding musical formula. Guillame Bideau switches from verse to chorus at a more frequent rate than on other albums and seems keener to display his clean vocal range.
Personal album highlight ‘Junkies On The Storm’ is easily the best example of what makes Mnemic so accessable yet undoubtedly heavy. It evolves as it moves along, it pulls in different directions and is a fine example of the talent this current incarnation possess.
Mnememis is an enjoyable album. It displays proegression in the driection of the band. A lot has changed since ‘The Audio Injected Soul’ hit the scene and garnered a hughe amount of fanfare . Mnemic are a successful band and as a result a lot is expected of them. Mnemesis delivers a more commercial sound while not completely alienating the core fanbase. The inclusoin of cleaner elements may dissapoint fans wanting a return to the early days but for me It’s the album they needed to release. An album to convince everyone that it’s business as usual at Camp Mnemic.
